Don't freeze this winter - check out who can help to keep you warm around Okehampton

Remember the snow just before Christmas last year? It was getting colder and I had about five litres of heating oil left. After much bullying and threats, I finally got a national company (more of this later!) to deliver on Christmas Eve. We tried to fire the boiler... nothing.

Suffice to say that I was delighted to receive a warm jumper from Santa - it took until new year to sort out the problem.

With winter fast approaching, now's the time to make sure you know what to do when the worst happens, someone who can sort out your heating problems and keep you and your warm.

First stop should be right here on Okehampton People. Check the business directory, and you'll find plenty of plumbers... and here you can all help each other by writing reviews and rating the local tradesmen, so when you make the call you know they've plenty of satisfied customers.

There's also a national register which gives details of accredited tradesmen, all of whom have to have the necessary 'tickets' in order to repair or service boilers.

When it comes to fuel, we do have an oil distributer right here in the town. After my bad experience with A Certain National Company, I rang Moorland Fuels and discovered the delights of dealing with someone local who knows where you are and what your particular needs are. They can also service and repair boilers, using Dartmoor Plumbing  Services.

Burst pipes are far less common with today's insulation and lagging, but it's best to have a number up your sleeve just in case. Once again, the information is all here on Okehampton People.

If you are less than well insulated, it's worth contacting West Devon Borough Council to find out about the various national schemes which will provide loft and cavity wall insulation at a heavily-subsidised rate - or for free, if you claim certain benefits.

Lastly, there are, of course, more traditional ways of keeping warm. If, like me, you've got an open fire, get your chimney swept now! Good sweeps are few and far between -  none on our business directory, and I can't recommend mine as he's really retired and does it as a favour - so if you know of a sweep, please let us all know!

See you in the spring!